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Javier Fernandez Stays on Top to Claim $5,000 Open Jumpers with Diamond Dream

Written by Barre Dukes

Saturday, 12 May 2018 11:45

Friday morning at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show welcomed the $5,000 1.45m Open Jumpers to kick-off jumper competition in the Rolex Stadium, where athletes were tested over Alan Wade’s (IRL) 15-effort track.

First to enter the ring, Javier Fernandez (MEX) and Diamond Dream, owned by Patricio Miguel Madero, laid down a clear round, designating the duo as the first to advance to the immediate jump-off. Fernandez and the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare galloped through the timers in a speedy 33.073 seconds, which the following 34 athletes attempted to catch, but were unable to outdo, awarding Fernandez the victory.

Out of the remaining start list, only four additional horse-and-athlete combinations produced a clear round, allowing the opportunity to continue onto the second round, with one electing to withdraw.

Savannah Talcott (USA) followed just after Fernandez with Sea Investments LLC’s 12-year-old Westphalian mare, Espatako’s Electra R, generating another double-clear round in a time of 34.113 seconds, slating her into the second place position which she managed to hold until near the end of the class. However, Anselmo Alvarado (VEN) came close to the top time aboard his own Inesse Van De Zijpe D’15 with a clear round and jump-off time of 33.437 seconds. Alvarado and the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare finished just behind Fernandez for the second place ribbon, while Talcott ended in third place.

Immediately following, 21 riders entered the stadium for the High Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumpers speed-style class resulting in six clear rounds where Francesca Bolfo (USA) bested the competition aboard her own Jadalco in 66.101 seconds.

Sloan Hopson finished in a close second place in a time of 66.330 seconds aboard her own Dalida, while Marion Head and Carjo Z, owned by Scott Head, rode to a time of 68.690 seconds for third place.

Jumper competition resumes Saturday morning in the Rolex Stadium with the return of the $5,000 1.45m Open Jumpers and will highlight the $131,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3* beginning at 6 p.m.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Javier Fernandez – $5,000 1.45m Open Jumper winner

On his plan:

“I was the first one in the class. I knew the time was a little bit tight so I had to go a little fast and my horse jumped really well. I prefer to watch some riders first and then make my final decision, but when you’re first you have to do it and there is no choice.”

On Diamond Dream:

“She’s a 10-year-old mare. I bought her three years ago when she was 7 and we’re starting to do the 1.45m–1.50m classes. She’s very honest and a very good mare. We are going to be here for two weeks and then we will go to Tryon, maybe to Michigan and then go back to Mexico at the end of the season.”

Francesca Bolfo – High Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumper winner

On her plan in the class:

“This is our first show back since Florida so my main goal was maintaining a smoothness and rhythm to my track. Jadalco has quite a large stride so I knew he’d be able to leave out in certain places. For such a big horse, he’s really clever and also turns really well. With the speed, I just wanted to maintain an even, quick pace rather than trying to run in between fences and he’s such a wonderful horse that he makes it easy.”

On Jadalco:

“He’s just a remarkably consistent horse with a great heart, an incredible mind and really a winning personality. He’s really a lovebug. He’s sort of like a big dog.”

On the Kentucky Horse Shows:

“I haven’t actually been to the [Kentucky] Horse Park since I jumped [in the North American Junior & Young Rider Championships] in 2011 so it’s wonderful to be back. The weather is beautiful and the facilities are incredible. I got to take Jadalco out on the field yesterday and gallop him and get his stride opened up, which I think helped a lot in the class today. They do such a wonderful job maintaining the facility and provide such a fantastic atmosphere for us as riders.”